Defender his story

Earlier this spring we got three mallards from the local farm and garden; we do this every spring.  We brought them home and kept them inside under a warm light for a week.  During the week my daughter named them; Friendly (he was the funnest to hold), Old Yeller (he had the most yellow head) and Defender (he tried to protect the other ducks).

After a week we moved the ducks out into the garage (now late April) and kept them in a large cage.  As always they were developing their unique personalities and quirks.  During the day we'd take them into the backyard for some free time but at night it was back in the cage and back in the garage.

Finally, after about three weeks the cage was getting small so we moved them out into our long since past dog's kennel.  It is about 14' by 12' with chain link fence.  On one side of the kennel I out 1/4 inch square fencing on the outside of the chain link to keep anything from squeezing through/or out.  On the inside of that portion of the kennel I added a chicken wire run.  A secure length of area where we'd put the ducks at night to keep out owls, hawks, cats or anything else that might be prowling around.

All was well and good for the first month.  Then, one morning I came out and only two ducks were there; Friendly and Old Yeller, Defender was missing.  All I could find were a couple piles of feathers, one in the kennel and one in the backyard, Defender was gone.  All of us were crushed, my daughter and wife the most.  In talking with the neighbors they say they have seen a few skunks around.  I have seen many hawks and eagles.  But in the end we cannot figure out what happened. 

Since that day I keep my two ducks in the garage at night and in the backyard during the day.   Please share with us your story!